A review by enbyemu
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

adventurous reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

My enjoyment of The Jungle Book duology is complicated. On the one hand, I feel that it is important to acknowledge and understand Kipling's nationalism/racism/classism as it permeates the entirety of both books. On the other hand, I adore and take great joy from the animalistic societies that he creates. They feel just other-worldly enough to feel truly ANIMAL and separate from humanity. However, in truth, they seem to have direct correlations to Kipling's views of British superiority (i.e. the villainized, lawless monkeys that steal Mowgli in one story are described in a very similar way to people from Afghanistan in another) - they only seem other-worldly to me because my worldview is so different than his was.

Ethical consumption of art is a complicated business, to say the least. I personally find it possible to find love for The Jungle Book while still acknowledging and criticizing the problems Kipling weaved throughout, but I understand that not everyone will feel the same.